Gov. William Donald Schaefer said yesterday that he believed the NFL's opposition to a move of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Baltimore reduces the chances of the team coming here, an eventuality the governor gives odds of "less than 50-50."
Schaefer, in a meeting with executives of The Sun, called Peter Angelos' $200 million offer for the team "outrageous" and called the Orioles owner "an amazing man."
However, he said of the Bucs moving to Baltimore, "I think it's doubtful. I think it's less than 50-50."
"He'll probably have to buy a team in place" and then sue the NFL, Schaefer said.
Schaefer again charged that Washington Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke and NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue are working behind the scenes to block a team move to Baltimore, an assertion both men have denied.
"Every time he [Angelos] moves, Tagliabue is right behind him saying, 'Don't you dare move,' " Schaefer said.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello yesterday declined to comment, other than to say the commissioner has not taken steps against Baltimore.
Meanwhile, local forces are marshaling in Tampa to keep the team there. A news conference is planned today for the 50-yard line at Tampa Stadium, at which public and private officials will unveil plans for the public to demonstrate support for the team.
"We're going to pull out all the stops to make the situation as attractive to local bidders as it apparently is to Mr. Angelos to take away," said Rick Nafe, executive director of the Tampa Sports Authority.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Sports Authority received reports this week from architects hired to explore various renovation options for the stadium, which is 27 years old and lacks many of the amenities of modern facilities. The estimates, to install club seats and additional sky boxes, ranged from $9 million to $53 million, depending upon what work is done.
The sports authority voted to seek additional renovation estimates and a feasibility study on building a new stadium.
"I would hope by mid-January to be able to make the comparison between a new stadium and renovations," Nafe said.